Estate agent set to take on charity running challenge

A Burgess Hill estate agent is tackling ‘a challenge like no other’ after deciding to run from London to Brighton to raise money for charity.

Linda Russell, a property manager at Leaders in Burgess Hill, will complete the gruelling 100-kilometre route on May 28 and 29 in support of Together for Short Lives and The British Heart Foundation.

She says: “Unlike other long-distance races, I am not looking to complete the London to Brighton run in a particular time. The only objective is to cross the finish line however long it takes.

“It is certainly a challenge like no other. The training has been going well and I recently completed the Brighton Marathon as a warm-up event.

“I have also been practicing on part of the actual course between Turners Hill and Plumpton.”

Despite not setting herself any targets, Linda believes the run - which is the equivalent of two-and-a-half marathons - is likely to take about 18 to 20 hours to complete.

She explains: “The main challenge on the day will be getting the fuelling and hydration right. When you are running this distance it is vital to eat and drink regularly to keep energy levels high.

“Also, learning to cope with the incredible level of fatigue I will face and being able to keep running on tired legs for hours is important.”

Linda is running to raise money for Together for Short Lives, the current charity partner of Leaders, as well as The British Heart Foundation in memory of her father.

Together for Short Lives supports all 54 children’s hospices across the UK, including Chestnut Tree House in West Sussex. It provides expert care and medical support for children living with life-limiting and life-limiting conditions.

Having raised £45,000 for the good cause in 2015, Leaders is aiming to raise a further £50,000 this year.

For more information on Linda’s run or to sponsor her please visit http://www.justgiving.com/owner-email/pleasesponsor/Linda-Russell5